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A controversial sign outside the church says it's safe to kill black people in America. The pastor calls the message motivational, but not everyone agrees. Emily Florez reports. (Published Tuesday, July 16, 2013)

Updated at 8:40 AM PDT on Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013

A church sign sparked controversy in Chicago over the weekend when it posted a controversial message after the George Zimmerman verdict.

“It is safe to kill black people in Amerikkka,” the sign read outside the First Baptist Church of University Park.

Chicagoans React To Zimmerman Verdict

Talk radio reactions to George Zimmerman's not guilty verdict. (Published Monday, July 15, 2013)

The sign, spurred from the weekend verdict, sparked a myriad of reactions from passerbys and churchgoers alike, many of which are not what the author of the statement and pastor of the church expected.

“I understand people are emotionally upset, but inciting anger in people is not going to help,” said Josh Kulas.

Pastor Reginald Williams Jr. said the sign was a message “not intended to divide, but to cause honest reflection in order to make this county a better place for all.”

“I think they could have worded it better,” said Joel Baker.

The church tweaked the sign Tuesday to read as a question rather than a statement. The new message now reads:

“Is it safe to kill blacks in America?”

A statement from Williams Tuesday read:

“It is interesting the amount of energy that people have put into attacking the church and the pastor…We also invite you to utilize those same passions to offer commentary towards solutions, and not divisions.”

Regardless of the change, the pastor said the intent is the same.
But many still disagree with the churches decision.

“The Trayvon Martin case is bad but putting this out there is not going to help,” said Donovan Jones.